CANVEY is set to be hit by another bank closure sparking fears over a lack of access to services for elderly residents.

Lloyds is set to shut another 21 branches and 15 of their Halifax branches by next spring because of the popularity of its online offering.

As part of these closures, Canvey’s Halifax in Furtherwick Road will shut for good.

It comes after a series of bank closures in recent years, including Barclays in Leigh and Billericay.

Bosses say the decision of this comes as just 254 of its customers used the branch regularly in 12 months to January this year, according to the data.

The news comes just months after Barclays announced its Canvey High Street branch will be shut down this summer.

However, Barclays bosses have insisted that they are currently looking for a new site on Canvey and have told the Echo they can update once the “location is confirmed” and contracts “have been signed”.

Former councillor Ray Howard MBE opened the Halifax bank on Canvey “many, many years ago”.

He said: “I am very disappointed that it is closing. I opened the Halifax bank years and years ago now. I am very disappointed, and I feel for the staff there too.

“What upsets me is the fact that the elderly people do not know how the internet works, and they need these facilities.

“We are in different times, but banks aren’t considering the elderly and those who can’t use the internet.

“All that is then doing is pushing more and more on the post office.

“I do hope now we are losing these banks that we might be active in getting one of those hubs they have in Rochford.”

The island’s Halifax branch will close its doors on November 6.

Lloyds Banking Group said: “Our customers are increasingly using digital channels to manage their money; we now have over 20 million customers choosing to bank online.

“Alongside our digital and mobile banking options, we’re introducing more community bankers to provide face to face banking support in communities. Customers can also bank with us over the phone, through the Post Office or in a banking hub. All colleagues at these branches will be offered a role at another branch or elsewhere in our business.”